American Academy of Dramatic Arts facts for kids
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| Type | Private drama school |
|---|---|
| Established | 1884 |
| Founder | Franklin Haven Sargent |
| Endowment | Approx. $5 million |
| President | Susan Zech |
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Academic staff
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New York total: 39 (31 of 39 part time) Los Angeles total: 50 (41 of 50 part-time) |
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Administrative staff
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New York: 39 Los Angeles: 39 |
| Students | New York: 524 Los Angeles: 303 |
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Other students
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Summer Intensives |
| Location |
,
United States
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| Campus | Urban |
| Colors | Gold and Black |
| Affiliations | NAICU, MSA |
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The American Academy of Dramatic Arts (often called AADA) is a special school where people learn to become actors. It's a private drama school that used to have two main places: one in New York City and another in Los Angeles. At AADA, students learn all about acting for the stage, movies (film), and TV shows. They can also try out for a special third-year theater group. This group helps show off new acting talent to the school and the community.
Contents
History of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts
How AADA Started in New York
The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City is the oldest acting school in the English-speaking world. It was started in 1884 by a man named Franklin Haven Sargent. He had studied at Harvard University and was a professor who taught people how to speak well. Sargent wanted to create a school just for training actors for the stage.
The school's first home was in the original Lyceum Theatre. This theater was located on what is now Park Avenue South. In 1963, the school moved to its current building. This building is very old and famous. It was designed by a well-known architect named Stanford White. He built it for a group called the Colony Club.
AADA's Campus in Los Angeles
In 1974, AADA opened another campus in Pasadena, California. This made it the only acting school that had locations in both major entertainment cities in America. The Los Angeles campus later moved from Pasadena to Hollywood in 2001. Its new building was right next to the Jim Henson Company Lot.
However, in April 2024, the academy announced some news about the Los Angeles campus. They decided to close it after the 2024–2025 school year. This decision was made because fewer students were enrolling there, and the school was facing financial challenges.
What Students Learn at AADA
The American Academy of Dramatic Arts is still focused on teaching people to become professional actors. It offers a two-year program. Students must be invited back to continue their studies for the second year. After the second year, students can audition to join the special third-year company.
Besides training for the theater, AADA now also teaches courses for film and television. The school has a clear program that helps students discover their own acting style. It also teaches them to be disciplined and unique in their performances. Students who finish the program in New York get a special degree called an Associate of Occupational Studies. Students who finished in Hollywood received a Certificate of Completion or an Associate of Arts degree in acting.
Many students who have graduated from AADA have gone on to have very successful careers in movies, TV, and theater.
Notable People from AADA
See also
In Spanish: American Academy of Dramatic Arts para niños
